Strong Coupling Model for String Breaking on the Lattice (LATTICE'98)

A model for string breaking on the lattice is formulated using strong coupling ideas. It gives an explicit picture of string breaking, in the presence of dynamical quarks, as a mixing process between a string state and a two-meson state. An analysis of the Wilson loop shows that the evolution of the mixing angle as a function of separation may obscure the expected crossover effect. If a sufficiently extensive mixing region exists then an appropriate combination of transition amplitudes may help reveal the effect. The sensitivity of the mixing region to the values of the meson energy and the dynamical quark mass is explored.